Conservative club closed over unpaid bill

Caversham Conservative Club has been forced to close after going into liquidation over an unpaid debt to a supplier

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Caversham Conservative Club has been forced to close after going into liquidation over an unpaid debt to a supplier.

The social club in Gosbrook Road has been issued with a winding up order.

Creditors owed more than £750 can serve a statutory demand for money owed if it is not paid or secured or a settlement is not agreed within 21 days. The committee has instructed lawyers in an attempt to rescind the order.

Thames Valley Police confirmed it was not conducting any criminal investigation, but rumours have circulated that funds have been misused.

A Caversham resident, who declined to be named, said: “Apparently the club has closed because funds have gone missing over a period of time and has been used for the wrong things.

“I know a lot of elderly people that use the club, it is the first time they have known it to close and they find it very strange.”

A message on the club’s Facebook page on May 11 read: “***Urgent*** Due to circumstances beyond our control the club will not be open today or over the weekend.

“We hope to be able to re-open on Monday [May 14] evening or Tuesday lunchtime [May 15].”

The reply to the question “Why will it be closed?” was “Sorry we are unable to give any details at present will let members know more when given to ok”.

On May 14 the committee posted and then removed a message on the social networking site confirming the club would remain closed until this week, making first reference to “a legal action”.

It explained that because of this the club’s licence was invalidated so it was not allowed to be opened to members and a formal response had been submitted to the courts on May 14.

The committee “had every reason to believe [the response] should be successful”, but had not received any details.

The committee has not commented since a further statement on May 17, which said: “Caversham Conservative Club is currently closed.

“This is due to a winding up order being served on the club in relation to a small supplier debt from 2011 that had not been paid.

“The committee accepts that this should not have been allowed to happen, is taking every measure to resolve it as quickly as possible and further to ensure that it cannot recur.

“A comprehensive financial review which includes all supplier transactions is currently being undertaken and procedures will be implemented to ensure that future supplier ‘issues’ are quickly brought to the collective attention of the committee.

“Solicitors instructed by the committee have applied to the courts for a rescission of the winding up order and are dealing with the legal aspects of the action.

“The committee anticipates that there can be a swift and successful outcome to the satisfaction of all parties.”